Indian squash players had a mixed day at the Grasshopper Cup 2026. Abhay Singh got past a fighting David Bernet while Ramit Tandon was thrashed by Fares Dessouky in the men’s round one contest in Zurich.
Abhay Singh began well as he took the first game at 11-9. However, wildcard Bernet of Switzerland staged a remarkable comeback to snatch the second game 11-9 and force the contest into the decider.
Abhay Singh tightened up his defence and eased past David Bernet 11-8 to move into the next round.
On the other hand, Ramit was no match to Egypt’s Fares Dessouky and lost the contest at 6-11, 9-11.
Meanwhile, 14-time Swiss national champion Nicolas Mueller battled back from 1-0 down to defeat Baptiste Masotti and keep home hopes alive. In the best-of-three format up until the semifinals, Mueller lost the opener 11-3 before overturning the deficit to win the second and third games 11-4, 11-6 to progress to the second round.
Mueller, who’s the most decorated Swiss national champion, is the last player standing from the host nation of the Gold-level event following the exits of Switzerland No.1 Dimitri Steinmann, Yannick Wilhelmi and tournament wildcards Louie Hafez, David Bernet, Cindy Merlo and Ambre Allinchx.
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“It’s always good to get a win on home soil. It was a quick-fire match, Baptiste [Masotti] and I played about 18 minutes for three games and there weren’t many long rallies. I’m very happy about that,” Mueller said. “It’s always been a childhood dream of mine to play in this Grand Central station in Zurich,” he added.
“There’s a lot of friends and family who came out to support me so it’s always nice to see them. Hopefully it’s going to be the same in two days’ time,” Mueller said.
World No.17 Steinmann was defeated by Iker Pajares, with the Swiss No.1 saving four of the Spaniard’s match balls to force the clash into a tiebreak. However, Pajares was able to convert in the tiebreak to claim an impressive 11-8, 13-11 victory and axe Switzerland’s No.1 in the first round.
Elaraby continues her comeback
In the women’s draw, Rowan Elaraby continues her comeback from injury after recovering from 1-0 down against Ka Yi Lee to win 2-1 against the Hong Konger.
Elaraby, featuring in her third tournament since she broke a bone in her foot at last year’s World Championships, marked her first appearance in Zurich since 2023 by notching a 8-11, 11-7, 11-5 win over Lee.
“It’s really nice be standing here again after a while. It feels amazing to be able to play on court again,” she said. “Today I think I felt a little bit edgy, she’s a very tricky player and I know she has the best shots when the court is open.
“I was always on my toes and a bit scared as well for my foot. This was in the back if my mind, but a win is a win and I’m really glad to be back playing and winning matches,” she said.
Meanwhile Grace Gear held off fellow Englishwoman Katie Malliff 2-1 to reach the second round, and Nour Heikal toppled her Egyptian compatriot Hana Moataz 2-0 in 13 minutes.
Results: Men’s round one: Fares Dessouky (EGY) beat Ramit Tandon (IND) 2-0 (11-6, 11-9); Juan Vargas (COL) beat Louai Hafez (SUI) 2-0 (11-3, 11-7); Declan James (ENG) beat Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) 2-0 (15-13, 11-8); Greg Lobban (SCO) beat Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) 2-0 (11-4, 12-10); Nicolas Mueller (SUI) beat Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 2-1 (3-11, 11-4, 11-6); Iker Pajares (ESP) beat Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 2-0 (11-8, 13-11); Abhay Singh (IND) beat David Bernet (SUI) 2-1 (11-9, 9-11, 11-8); Auguste Dussourd (FRA) beat Gregoire Marche (FRA) 2-0 (11-5, 11-5).
Women’s round one: Hollie Naughton (CAN) beat Cindy Merlo (SUI) 2-0 (11-9, 11-8); Lucy Turmel (ENG) beat Amina El Rihany (EGY) 2-0 (12-10, 11-7); Mariam Metwally (EGY) beat Ambre Allinckx (SUI) 2-0 (11-4, 11-5); Farida Mohamed (EGY) beat Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) 2-0 (11-7, 11-1); Nour Heikal (EGY) beat Hana Moataz (EGY) 2-0 (11-7, 11-3); Grace Gear (ENG) beat Katie Malliff (ENG) 2-1 (14-12, 7-11, 11-2); Melissa Alves (FRA) beat Nadien Elhammamy (EGY) 2-0 (11-3, 11-0); Rowan Elaraby (EGY) beat Ka Yi Lee (HKG) 2-1 (8-11, 11-7, 11-5).
